Coffee maker



p 1940- R. w. PINCKNEY 2,215,337

, COFFEE MAKER Filed April 1'7, 1939 2 Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. P051527 [4% Favor/v5 ATTORNEYS adjacent the bottom thereof hefore The present invention is concerned with cofleemakers of the electrlcollr heoted French drip type, and the generol ohiect thereof is the provision oi am opoeretue for the ctllcient hint or" coffee of good ounlity in u short period of time.

A. further oloject oi the present invention is. the provision of n coheeniolter oi the drip type; udoptehle for the recentlon oi. cold ureter which is directed oround on electric hentinu element in measured quontltr end hit to mold rote ct now, but at such rote thot cold outer will he brought to n correct ternneroture hetore content inc; the coffee etroiuuds.

it further ohlect of me intention in the prowl siori or on electric ooiiee-rneher, which will he mold in onerotlon, yet ethcient'in hoot tronster once, while consumine only o enroll nmot oi howerl k A still further ohiect ol rnr lnuentlon lo the provision of e. novel electric heutinu unit tor o coffee-matter of. the French drin tyne, wherein ,:the electric heotine" element to nrroneed' in ouch o manner thot emclent hoot conducthdtr isohtained no the ureter hueseefrom one vessel to enother, during which nneeee'e the ureter in raised to a. suhstentlnlly holline tenineroture, hetore passion ever end throuuh the cotton eronndn.

tlther olojects of my invention will hecome on porent from the iolloudne deecrlntlon, which re iers to the nccomuonyine drutrinrrc lllustrotlhe' two embodiments thereoi. The eesentinl chorec teristics ot' the intention ere suunrnnrlned in the claims.

lo the drnwinus hit". l in o, crooceectionel he ration of o cohee utter enihoduinu the tenturee or my invention: l le. it is o. crose-sectionol rierr taken suhstontlolly clone the es t--ll ot hie. l; Fig. 3 is a. modified term or cotlec elrer ernhodr me my invention; end the. in o. third form oil the invention.

Various types oi electrtcolly heoted cotlee molrers of the drip tyne here heen proposed heretoiore, and mode, wherein the ureter won heoted in on upper vessel by on electric elementdisoosed the coffee grounds contolner or bucket, or the arrangement was such that the cold water was ploced in on upper container from. which it won permitted to escape through the bottom thereof and circulate in contact with two electrodes, whereby the welterlwould he heoted by electrolytic notion, due to the presence of some salt in the water, whereuponthe heated ureter would be permitted to flow into contact with the coifleo grounds endposs'therethrough to e brewed cothilllhfidt on reunion.

inner to. co ,n i- V hurrllcotion Anti]! It, lillth, hertnl ldo. ttilhtlltl (or. eie etl fee'contoiner. in the letter type the electrodes proposed were metollic or erephitic in chorocter. However, it hos been round thot with this electrode type or cotfee innlrer, connideruhle ditd culty hos heen encountered in the use thereot, e due to the loot thot the sell; content or the ureter vol-led. to or great extent from locality to locnlity throughout the country, thus melting lt extremely dicult to proportion the nreus oi the electrodes,

es well es the snoclne" thereof, to meet such very in inn conditions. 1

My intention conteninlutes ohtnhilnu ell oi the ndvoritoees of the letter type of coffee-mother,- While ot the some time clirnlnotlne the t errntlous problem elrroys present when coh'ee-n'iohers ot it the electrode tune ore ninnufoctured tor eeuernl distribution throughout the coiuitry, end I nc 'comnlish this he enclosing on electric heotine: element of the resistonce tune withno o. metullic shell, Whlch is disposed intermediote' the ureter eo recerotocle end the contolner tor the hreored cot fee. The entire heetlne unit it nrrnnued end con structed in such o. noonner tho-t the cold router is directed from the enter receotncle doornnrerdlt to e point where it it conned to how in c'ontect re with o. suhstontiul ureu oi the heetlne element shell het'ore heine permitted to escone into the cohee erouhds hoslret, end the construction oi? the heotine unit is such thnt while it remeino ln nssen hled relntiori with the enter rece tecle dur hill inn the motor port oil the one thereof, it never theleso can he deteched from the enter recon I tncle in o. reooly convenient mnnner, tor clenninu or rennir.

helerrine to the drnrrihes, l show n lorerred tilt? end on electric hee'tinrr unit, eenernlluindicnted l by the reference nernl it end which in nosed hetween the cotlee contulner it end the cold enter receptncle ill.

The heotlne unit it comnrieee o eun'onoped receptacle rest mernher itheuine o; rertlcollr extending annular honne it, upon the newer edge of which the cold enter receotocle it rests, while the lower perimeter portion it oi the member It rests upon the umoer. edee ot the codec contome! it. Disposed heneoth the member M is an electric heating element shell memher vIt, preferoblyformed ot a in or other e;

heat-conductive nietol. The shell memloer it, as will be noted, is else cuoshoned, and is pro vided with on upwerdly extending onnulnr hence tea, which engages the bottom face of the member it. If desired, a gasket may be inserted between the flange its and member M. The shell i811 hasdisposed therein, but electrically insulated therefrom, a heating element 29, which is maintained'in position by a top plate member 2i fitting within the shell member is, there being insulation material 22 disposed between the plate member 2i, and the heating element 20.

The cold water receptacle H, the member I i, and the shell member iii, are held in assembled relation by an exteriorally threaded tubular member 23, and nut members 28, 25, and 26, respectivel'y engaging the members. H, M and it, as

shown. 'A compressible washer member 2! is provided between the nut member 24 and the bottom'wall of the glass receptacle ii. The nut member 26 engaging the plate 2i compresses the members comprising the heating element shell against a shoulder 23a formed upon the tubular member 23 near the bottom-thereof. r

A casing member 3b is provided to enclose the shell structure comprising the heating element assembly, and is proportioned as shown to provide along the bottom of the shell l8 and its annular flange i8a a water heating chamber 39. The casing member 30 is secured in assembled relation upon an extension of the tubular member 23 formed at the bottom thereof by a nut member 32 which causes an upwardly extending annular flange portion 30a of the casing 3i! to abut against the underside of the member is; If desired, a gasket maybe interposed between the casing flange 30a and member id.

The tubular member 23 is provided at its top with an orifice 3d of predetermined size, for a purpose to be explained hereinafter, and also is provided adjacent the bottom thereof with radially extending openings 85, whereby water flow communication between the interior of the water receptacle ii and the water heating chamber Si is aflorded.

The flange Silo of the casing member 30 is provided with an annular, outwardly extending odset portion dub, upon -whichis fitted an upper beaded portion of the mice basket 86. The flange 30a of the casing member 80 is provided with a 3 series'oi' water outlets or openings 300, formed in the casing member 3d, at a position which is above the heating element 20, whereby water may flow from the water chamber 3i t erethrough' and into the coil 'grounds basket 36.

The member ii as mounted upon the annular flange i5 thereof a pair of electric plug connectors 38, suitably insulated therefrom by insulating means 39, each of the members 38 being held in position by any suitable means, such as a nut 68. Nut members 4H serve to connect the lead wires 62 to the connector members 38 and the lead wires extend downwardly through an opening 414, formed in the bottom of the member id, as shown.

It will be noted that the coifee ground basket 36 can be conveniently slidably' fitted upon the annular portion 30b of the casing member 30. and is formed to have an imperforate vertically and downwardly extending annular portion 380 which terminates in a ledge formation 36b. The lower portion 0!- the coflee grounds basket may be of a conitormed shape, converging toward the center of the basket, the bottom of the basket being provided with the usual perforations 31 for the obvious purpose of permitting the brewed coflee to drain into the cofiee container Ill.

The orifice 34 is or such size as to regulate the rate of flow of water from the cold water receptacle ii to the water heating chamber 3|,

passes through the openings 30c. Thereafter, the

heated water has a. tendency to flow along the outside surface of the casing 3d and drip therefrom at the annular corner thereof, the under surface thereof and from the unit member 30. Hence, the heated water is distributed over the surface of the coffee grounds in the basket 36.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

should it be desired for any reason to either clean the interior of the tubular member 23, or any of the members comprising the heating unit, quick disassembly of the heating unit and cold water receptacle may be obtained by unscrewing the nut member M from its engagement with the tubular member 23. By removing the nut member 24, access to the terminal connections of the lead wires 42 may be obtained. Removal of the nut member 32 permits removal of the casing 30. Removal of the nut member from the tubular member 23 permits access to theinterior of the shell structure it, carrying the heating element.

In operation, the required amount of properly ground coffee is placed in the bottom of the coflee basket 36, and the same is slip-fitted upon the annular shoulder b of the casing member 30.

The receptacle heating unit and basket are then set upon the coilee container l0, whereupon the required amount of water corresponding to the desired number of .cups of coffee desired is poured into the cold water receptacle II, the heating unit having previously been connected to a source of power. The water immediately begins to flow through the orifice 34 and downwardly through the tubular member 23, and into the heating chamber 3|, where it flows into contact with the hot walls of the shell member I! containing the heating element. The water passes upwardly as it is being heated within the casing to, to the outlets 38, whereupon it flows into the coflee basket.

As the heated water flows downwardly be- .tween the outer surface of the casing member 30 and the interior surface ofthe annular portion 36a of the cofl'ee basket, it is guided to the coffee grounds in the basket and flows therethrough to the coffee container Id.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I show two modifications of the heating unit, wherein the various members which are common to the construction shown in Figs. 1- and 2 are given like reference numerals.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3, the shape .01 the receptacle rest member IE4 is such that a pressed, cup-shaped portion MB comprises the shell for the heating element 20 and the insulating'members and the attachment of the cupshaped portion M5, to thehollow tubular member 23 is, as shown and as hereinbeiore described. The shell M6 is provided with an annular shoulder do, over which the top rim oi the coffee ground basket 36 may be slip-fitted. The member i is provided with a series of downwardly struck or formed lugs I46, against which the top rim of the hot water casing member 30 may abut when the nut 32 is tightened upon the lower end of the tubular member 23, thus providing passageways. between theinterior or the heating unit having a heat-conductive shell enclosing an electric element, tubular means for conducting water from said vessel to the shell,

a casing enclosing said shell and arranged in spaced apart relationship thereto wherebyawater heating chamber is provided and said casing having a hot water outflow passageway formed in an annular wall thereof, a rest member adapted to be set upon a brewed coflee container and having an annular upwardly extending flange for supporting a cold water vessel and electric plug connector means carried by the flange oi the rest member for connecting said electric element to a source of power, said shell casing and rest member all being attached to said tubular means.

8. A coffee-maker of the French drip type, comprising a brewed cofiee container, a cold water-receiving receptacle comprising a cylindrical wall and separate bottom freely resting upon the container and a water heating unit oi the electric resistance type disposed between the receptacle and container, said unit comprising a disk-like electric heating element. and a heatconductive shell enclosing the element, a casing enclosing said shell with the walls thereof in spaced relation to the shell to provide a shallow 'hot water chamber, said shell being formed to engage the bottom perimeter of the receptacle, a tubular member having a water flow eway extending from the cold water receiving receptacle to the hot water chamber, and means on the tubular member for securing the shell and.

the casing to the receptacle. 7 I

' 9.A coffee-maker of the French drip type, comprising a brewed coilee container, a cold water-receiving receptacle disposed above the container and a water-heating unit 01 the electric type disposed between the receptacle and container, said unit comprising a disk-like electric heating element, a heat-conductive shell intimately enclosing the element, a casing enclosing said shell with the walls thereof in spaced relation to the shell whereby a shallow hot water chamber is provided beneath the electric element, means providing a water flow passageway from the cold water-receiving receptacle to the hot water chamber, and a coflee grounds basket having a perforated bottom disposed below the heating unit and said casing having hot water passageways disposed above the heating element and communicating with the basket.

10. In a coffee-maker of the French drip type, the combination of a cofiee brew container, a water receptacle disposed above the container, the receptacle having a clamped in bottom member, a water heating mechanism inte between the container and the receptacle, said mechanism comprising an electrical water heating unit disposed within the container, a casing member surrounding said unit and flanged to provide a seat for the receptacle, a tubular member extending through the bottom of the receptacle and secured thereto and afior a water flow passageway between the interior of the receptacle and the bottom side of the heating unit,

I said tubular member serving to secure the bottom member of the receptacle, the heating unit and said casing in assembled relation with the perimeter of said bottom formation-of the casing member.

11. In a coflee-maker oi the French drip type, the combination'of a coffee brew container, a water receptacle disposed above the container,

.9. water heating mechanism interposed between the container and the receptacle, a memmew ber surrounding said mechanism to provide a water-heating chamber between the wall of the casing member and a wall of the heating mechanism, a tubular member extending through the bottom of the receptacle and secured thereto and aflording a water flow passageway between the interior of the receptacle and the water-heating chamber, said heating mechanism, tubular memher and casing comprising a unit assembly and a coffee grounds basket adapted. to be removably attached to said casing.

12. A coffee-maker comprising a coffee brew receptacle, a water receptacle, an electric heating mechanism disposed at the bottom of the water receptacle including a sheathed heating element, a false bottom disposed within the water receptacle above the heating mechanism, means securing the heating mechanism to the water receptacle false bottom, including a centrally disposed hollow member, a hot water casing surrounding the heating element and having liquid flow communication with the water receptacle through the tubular member and a coifee grounds basket associated with the casing, there being a hot water passageway provided between the casing and the interior of the coffee grounds member extending from the separable bottom 01' the water receptacle and through the heating element, a hot water casing enclosing the heating element and having liquid flow communication with the water receptacle through the hollow member and a coffee grounds basket detachably associated with the heating unit and there being a passageway provided between the interior of the casing and the basket.

14. A heating unit for a. coffee-maker of the drip type, adapted to be attached to a cold water receiving vessel and comprising an electric heating unit having a heat-conductive shell enclosing an electric element, a restricted tubular means adapted to conduct water from said vessel to the shell and serving as a securing means between the bottom of the cold water vessel and the heating unit, and a casing enclosing said shell and arranged in spaced apart relationship thereto whereby a water heating chamber is provided, said casing having hot water outflow eways formed in a wall thereof above the heating element.

15. A coffee-maker of the French drip type, comprising a brewed coffee container, a cold water-receiving receptacle disposed above the container and a water-heating unit of the electric type disposed between the receptacle and container, said unit comprising a disk-like electric heating element and a water impervious housing therefor, a casing enclosing said housemcee? it. A codes-maker of the French drip typo, comprising a brewed coffee container, a cold water-receiving receptacle disposed above the container and a water-heating unit of the electric type disposed at the bottom of the receptacle, said unit comprising a disk-like electric heatinc element and the bottom oi the recep tacle comprising a heat-conductive shell enclos= ing the element, a false bottom in the receptacle forming a compartment'for the heating unit in Water-tight relation to the wall oi the liquid receptacle, a restricted tubular structure provided with passageways for guiding; water into contact with the lower surfaces oi the shell;

it. in a ccflee-malrer of the French drip type, the combination of a coffee brew container, a water receptacle disposed alcove the container, an electric resistance wetter heating mechanism interposed between the conteiner and the receptacle, said mechanism comprising at metellicelly enclosed water heating unit disposed Within the container, sold unit having water-heating chamher disposed henenth tit resistance heating element or the heatinrr unit, it cold water contil limit entendinc through the hcttom oi the receptacle' and the bottom oi the heating unit end serving to secure said bottoms in spaced. relation and having a restricted water flow passagewey between the interior of the receptacle and the water-heating chamber.

18. it coffee maker of the drip type compris ing a cold water receptacle having a centre disposed tubular member secured to and depencl ing from the bottom thereof, a casing memher secured to the lower end of the tubular memher and engaging the receptacle about the bottom,

perimeter of the receptacle, an electrical resist ance heating element disposed within the casihti' beneath the bottom of the receptacle and speceti, therefrom and a cup shaped member enclosinr;

that part of the said casing in which the heating element is disposed, and said cup-shaped mem her being positioned in spaced relation to sit-id, part of the casing to provide a hot water chem her and a flow passageway extending from said tubular member radially outwardly and uptrnrtiir to thereby cause the heated. wateratc riot-r over the outer perimeter of the cup member chore the position of the heating element.

, nonenr W, 

